Why do wagon wheels in cowboy films seem to turn backwards?
…even when they’re moving forwards? Hi Fran, The odd behaviour of some spoked wheels and other spinning things in the movies and on TV is all down to the way moving pictures are actually made. A...
View ArticleDo caffeinated shampoos work?
Caffeine in shampoo is a new treatment for baldness. Yes, you read that correctly: stimulant-infused shampoo is purported to be the latest ‘effective’ treatment for male pattern baldness. Who knew that...
View ArticleHow does laser tattoo removal work? Is it really safe?
How does laser tattoo removal work? I know, I know, the tattoo of ‘I love you Kevin’ seemed a great idea at the time. Sure, you had a hard time convincing you new boyfriend, Brian, that Kevin is your...
View ArticleHow Does a One-Way Mirror Work?
The one-way mirror. From one side, a mirror, from the other a window. It’s not the stuff of witchcraft, or even advanced optical technology – it’s really very simple: Think of a mirror. A mirror is...
View ArticleWhy Do MP3 Tracks Sound Worse Than The Real Thing?
“I bought some beautiful choral music on iTunes and it sounds muddy – no detail and it seems there is a loss of complexity. How does mp3 compression work and what do we lose in the compression...
View ArticleHow do mobile phones vibrate? They seem too small to have a spring inside!
Mobile phones are made to vibrate by a very small electric motor with an eccentrically mounted (off-centre) weight on the shaft (click here to see one). When the motor spins, this unbalanced weight...
View ArticleCan artificial lights charge solar panels? Could they be used to ‘recycle’...
Solar panels normally use the sun to generate power. They are increasingly seen as a possible solution for energy shortages in the developing world, but solar cells could have other uses. They can...
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